Free immigration legal help in Tennessee — BIA-recognized organizations
This page lists every non-profit in Tennessee currently authorized by the U.S. Department of Justice (Board of Immigration Appeals / BIA) to provide immigration legal representation. Source: EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster, updated quarterly.
BIA-recognized organizations are the cheapest legitimate immigration legal help available — many provide representation free or for sliding-fee based on income. Their accredited representatives (Full Accreditation can appear in court; Partial Accreditation handles USCIS filings only) practice ONLY immigration law.
BIA-recognized organizations in Tennessee
14 organizations listed in the EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster for Tennessee. These non-profits are authorized by the Board of Immigration Appeals to provide immigration legal representation at low or no cost.
| Organization | City | Address | Phone | Recognized | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catholic Charities of East Tennessee | Chattanooga | 5720 Uptain Road, Building 6100, Suite 4800, Chattanooga, TN 37411 | (423) 826-0663 | 11/22/05 | Active |
| Catholic Charities of East Tennessee | Chattanooga | 302 Wesley St., Johnson City, TN 37601, Knoxville | (423) 328-0070 | 11/22/05 | Active |
| Mid-South Immigration Advocates, Inc. | Chattanooga | 1101 Kermit Drive, Suite 205, Nashville, TN 37217 | (615) 800-2886 | 07/24/19 | Active |
| The Advocacy Center, Inc. | Jackson | 2676 Churchill Downs Circle, Chattanooga, TN 37421, Jackson, All Saints Immigration Services 11/13/23 11/09/25* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (432) 304-7974 | 07/17/24 | Active |
| Catholic Charities of East Tennessee | Knoxville | 119 Dameron Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917, Memphis | (865) 971-3550 | 11/22/05 | Active |
| Advocates for Immigrant Rights | Memphis | 815 N McLean Blvd, Memphis, TN 38107 | (901) 729-9560 | 10/08/24 | Active |
| Community Legal Center | Memphis | 80 Monroe, Ste 415, Memphis, TN 38103 | (901) 543-3395 | 07/31/13 | Active |
| For the People By the People | Memphis | 119 Racine Street, Suite 105, Memphis, TN 38111, Latino Memphis, Inc. 04/19/17 09/20/25* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (901) 321-5774 | 05/29/20 | Active |
| Mid-South Immigration Advocates, Inc. | Memphis | 3340 Poplar Avenue, Suite 215, Memphis, TN 38111, Nashville | (901) 244-4367 | 07/24/19 | Active |
| Catholic Charities of Tennessee, Inc. | Nashville | 2806 McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN 37214 | (615) 352-3087 | 09/03/25 | Active |
| Nashville International Center for Empowerment | Nashville | 417 Welshwood Drive, Suite 100, Nashville, TN 37211 | (615) 315-9681 | 09/17/12 | Active |
| Nations Ministry Center | Nashville | 406 Welshwood Drive, Nashville, TN 37211 | (615) 828-9664 | 05/03/13 | Active |
| Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition | Nashville | 3310 Ezell Road, Nashville, TN 37211 | (615) 833-0384 | 06/23/14 | Active |
| Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors | Nashville | 2195 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211 | (615) 538-7481 | 01/07/25 | Active |
How to verify and contact a BIA-recognized organization
- Confirm current status at the EOIR roster — recognition can be withdrawn, and the roster is updated quarterly.
- Call ahead to check service availability — many orgs have waitlists, especially for asylum and removal-defense cases.
- Ask about fees before signing a representation agreement. Free or sliding-fee is standard.
- Bring all USCIS notices + photo ID to your intake appointment.
- Beware of “notarios” — only BIA-recognized organizations OR licensed attorneys can give legal advice. A “notario público” in the U.S. is NOT a notario in the Latin American sense and cannot legally represent you.
Related procedural information
- Immigration court in Tennessee — the EOIR court that hears removal cases for residents of Tennessee
- Legal aid in Tennessee — broader civil legal aid (housing, family, public benefits)
- Find an immigration attorney — AILA directory + private bar
- Avoid notario fraud — what to watch for
- Know Your Rights — ICE encounters — constitutional protections
Last verified: 2026-05-27. Source: U.S. Department of Justice EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster. General procedural information — not legal advice. Always verify organization status and ask about fees before signing a representation agreement.
BIA recognition program context (2025-2026)
The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) Recognition & Accreditation Program is governed by 8 CFR 1292.11-1292.16. Recognition is granted for 3 years initially; renewals require re-application and updated documentation. As of the 2026-04-20 EOIR roster: 1,256 recognized organizations operate 1,420 offices nationwide, with 5,800+ accredited representatives across Full Accreditation (court representation) and Partial Accreditation (USCIS-only practice).
BIA-recognized organizations cannot charge attorney-level fees but may charge “nominal fees” — typically defined by EOIR as covering only direct costs (printing, postage, document preparation). Most organizations charge $0-$200 for full representation in routine cases (USCIS filings, defensive asylum hearings). Compare to private immigration attorney fees: $1,500-$5,000 for asylum cases, $2,500-$8,000 for cancellation of removal, $1,500-$3,000 for adjustment of status.
EOIR publishes the Recognition & Accreditation Roster quarterly at justice.gov/eoir/recognition-accreditation-roster-reports. Verify an organization’s CURRENT status (Active vs Pending Renewal vs Provisional vs Withdrawn) before signing a representation agreement. Organizations whose recognition was withdrawn by EOIR (typically for fraud or compliance issues) cannot practice immigration law.
For attorney directories: AILA Find-A-Lawyer at ailalawyer.com (paid membership, vetted), Legal Services Corporation grantees at lsc.gov (income-limited legal aid), American Bar Association lawyer referral at americanbar.org/groups/legal_services. Avoid “notario” fraud: in the US, a “notary public” is NOT a notario in the Latin American sense and cannot give legal advice. Report notario fraud to your state attorney general AND USCIS at uscis.gov/avoid-scams.
IMMI Help Line: 1-866-787-6111 (Immigrant Justice Network, free Spanish/English) Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm. EOIR Hotline for case status: 1-800-898-7180 (24/7 automated; English/Spanish menu).
BIA-recognized immigration help in Tennessee
14 locations/organizations on record in Tennessee. Always verify directly before visiting.
- Catholic Charities of East Tennessee
Chattanooga - The Advocacy Center, Inc.
Chattanooga - Catholic Charities of East Tennessee
Chattanooga - Catholic Charities of East Tennessee
Chattanooga - Advocates for Immigrant Rights
Chattanooga - Community Legal Center
Chattanooga - For the People By the People
Chattanooga - Mid-South Immigration Advocates, Inc.
Chattanooga - Catholic Charities of Tennessee, Inc.
Chattanooga - Mid-South Immigration Advocates, Inc.
Chattanooga - Nashville International Center for Empowerment
Chattanooga - Nations Ministry Center
Chattanooga - Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition
Chattanooga - Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors
Chattanooga
Frequently asked questions
What is BIA recognition?
How is a BIA-recognized organization different from an immigration attorney?
How do I know if a Tennessee organization is currently BIA-recognized?
Is BIA-recognized legal help really free in Tennessee?
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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.